MacBook M3 Pro Max freezing after macOS Sequoia 15.2 update

Same thing here: occasional freezes for a few seconds or longer. Happens since updating to sequoia 15.3.2. Very frustrating issue, especially since its seems so random. Sometimes affect weird thins like the backspace not working or a window not being highlighted after clicking on it.

SAME HERE! I have a 2021 M1 MacBook Air (that came installed with Big Sur) ... Monterey worked/WORKS great but now that its 2025, we no longer get Security Updates so I was FORCED to upgrade to Sequoia, but when I UPDATED, I was getting issue after issue (with older apps, with Mail, with Messages), so I did a fresh install and reinstalled all my Apps (I'm in MUSIC and VIDEO production so I had to download ALL my DMG's and Plugins which took DAYS!).

After the FRESH INSTALL it has been WORSE!

• Messages is UNUSABLE
• The Dock keeps FREEZING
• When Safari is open and I move to where the Dock is, my Mouse disappears and everything FREEZES

I still have my old original Monterey back and I can go back (doing a fresh install of Monterey as I have a USB stick to do so), but what the heck!??!? Is this going to get fixed?!?!?

Thank you to whoever responded with the below message! Ok I'll reply to what or what I have NOT done with the solutions below that I was given. FYI, I am currently on my M4 MacMini (bought December 2024 w/ Sequoia already installed) and I MIGRATED entire backup from my 2022 M1 MacStudio's Monterey Time Machine backup and the M4 MacMini works PERFECTLY under Sequoia with no issues so far.

The 2021 M1 MacBook Air (that I've been having issues with) originally came with Big Sur and I upgraded it to Monterey as I did NOT like the changes/looks/functionality of Ventura/Sonoma when I upgraded my 2020 M1 MacMini and 2023 M2 MacMini (both of which I did NOT migrate from my previous backups, as I use these for my "test Macs"), but I have since grown fond of Sonoma and Sequoia (aside from the Preview app's bugs!!!), so that is why I am finally upgrading my M1 MBA.

The M1 MBA (that I am having issues with) was having issues crashes on OS Monterey (certain apps would not open and freeze the Mac), so I did do an UPGRADE to Sequoia and the crashed kept having so, I decided to do a fresh install which took DAYS installing DMG's for all my apps; I'm in music production so, installing Logic AND it's Libraries took a day all on its own! Since BOTH my M1 MBA and M1 MacStudio used the same Mojave migrated backup (it is a newer-ish backup which was freshly installed in 2020) and both of those didnt have too many issues, I can still migrate from that old backup to see if it'll make a difference, but I wonder if my M1 MBA is going faulty? I mean, we don't know how these M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs are going last after a few years. I HOPE that I don't have a dying Mac!

In any case, below is what Apple sent me to do, and I'll reply IN BOLD CAPS:

1. NVRAM and SMC Reboot and Reset

• Restart your Mac: Simple but often effective. :::: DID IT! DIDN'T WORK!!!!::::::

• Reset NVRAM: Turn off your Mac, then turn it on and hold down Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds. :::: DID IT! DIDN'T WORK!!!!::::::<<< THIS JUST RESTARTED THE MAC INTO RECOVERY MODE! NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT PROCEDURE?

• Reset SMC: If you have performance issues, you may want to try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC). On your Mac with an Apple Silicon (M3 Pro Max) chip, just turn it off and wait 30 seconds before turning it back on.

2. Check for Software Updates

• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and check for updates. Apple may have already released a patch.:::: DID IT! NOT YET!!!!::::::

3. Start in Safe Mode

• Turn off your Mac, then turn it on by holding down Shift until the login screen appears.

• This helps to isolate software problems, disabling third-party extensions and emptying some caches. :::: I HAVE NOT YET, BUT WILL!!!::::::

4. Check the Disk and RAM

• Open Disk Utility and run "First Aid" on the disk to see if there are any errors.:::: I HAVE NOT YET, BUT WILL!!!::::::

• Open Activity Monitor (from Spotlight) and check CPU and memory usage. If you see abnormal processes, they could be the cause of the blocks. :::: I HAVE NOT YET, BUT WILL!!!::::::

5. Problems with Finder and Safari

• If Finder crashes frequently, try deleting the preferences file using this line in the Terminal:

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.plist. :::: I HAVE NOT YET, BUT WILL!!!::::::

Then restart your Mac.

• For Safari, clear the cache:

• Open Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Advanced and enable the Developer menu.

• Then go to Development > Clear cache. :::: I HAVE NOT YET, BUT WILL!!!::::::

6. Create a New User

• Go to System Settings > Users & Groups and create a new user. Log in with that and see if the problem persists. If it works well, the problem may be related to your main profile files. :::: I HAVE NOT YET, BUT WILL!!!::::::

7. Restore macOS Sequoia

If nothing works and the problem is unbearable, you might consider a clean installation of macOS.

1. Back up with Time Machine.

2. Restart in Recovery Mode (+R on startup).

3. Select "Reinstall macOS" and follow the instructions. :::: ALREADY DID and am WORKING FROM A FRESH INSTALL !!!::::::

8. Report the Bug to Apple

• Open Feedback Assistant (already installed on macOS) and report issues to Apple.

• You can also visit the official Apple Feedback site to submit reports. :::: DID IT! MANY TIMES!!!!:::::

If the issue is caused by a bug in macOS 15.2, a future update may fix it. In the meantime, try these solutions and let me know if anything helps!

I also have this issue with a brand new M4 Max 16" MBP, starting only after the most recent software update. The whole computer freezes for 15-30 seconds, and my Apple keyboard and mouse disconnect.

My 3 month old MacBook Air is doing the same thing. I need help!

This is exactly what I am seeing, although for me, what I notice immediately is Universal Control getting disconnected from my other laptop . I am not sure if it matters, but I have 128gb of RAM.

I've got an M3 imac and M2 Mini. Both freeze. I'll lose control of the mouse and keyboard.

Are you using Universal Control?

Are you using Universal Control?